Christopher Kane Is Leaving Versus...but Denies Balenciaga Rumors

The fashion rumor mill was in overdrive this weekend as sources reported that Christopher Kane--the Scottish talent behind an eponymous label and Versace's little sister line, Versus--was taking over the top spot at Balenciaga, recently vacated by Nicolas Ghesquiere. Kane denied the report, but new developments are stoking the fire once again...

Here's a quick catch-up in the most-watched designer replacement since Raf Simons took over at Dior: Earlier this month, it was announced that Ghesquiere, who was Balenciaga's beloved designer for 15 years, would be leaving the house in "a joint decision to end their working relationship," effective November 30.

But! It turns out their excitement was unwarranted--Kane's spokesperson released this statement to WWD over the weekend: "Rumors surrounding Christopher Kane's appointment as creative director of Balenciaga are unfounded." Balenciaga's parent company, PPR, would not comment.

But! Today there's one more interesting development. He's leaving his post at Versace, via WWD: "By mutual agreement, the company and Kane, who worked with Donatella Versace on Versus, have parted ways. 'This is consistent with Christopher's own strategies when he first accepted to work on Versus, and we are now ready to change our approach,' Versace chief executive officer Gian Giacomo Ferraris told WWD. 'He and Donatella Versace had a beautiful, personal symbiosis,' he added. The executive underscored that there was no termination of contract, but that the relationship 'evolved naturally and matured, so that this was the right moment and a logical decision for everyone. We started thinking about the new Versus months ago, before the summer.'"

Soooo...it would seem Kane suddenly has a lot more free time on his hands, no? Do you think he'll eventually be revealed as the new Balenciaga designer? Are you excited about this new development? Discuss!